1 Plu mbing and

related Basic Terms

Introduction
Plumbing is a skill which helps in the installation of
bathroom and kitchen fittings, laying of new pipelines
in buildings and identifying the defects in pipeline.
The plumbing system includes two main systems—
the water supply and the drainage system. Why is the
plumbing system necessary for every construction
project? Whether a small or big construction, proper
planning and designing of the plumbing system helps in
maintaining the hygiene requirements of the occupants
and acts as a safeguard against illnes. It has been
reported that 8 per cent of the total construction cost of
the building is marked for plumbing and sanitary work.*
In order to understand plumbing and its work
process, it is important to understand some key terms.
A knowledge of these terms will help the Plumber
General in the preparation and estimation of one’s work
and also in understanding the assembly sheet of the
plumbing fixtures in the manufacturer’s catalogue.

A
Air gap
The distance between the lowest point of a water inlet or
pipe to a tank and the overflowing level of the tank
* B.N. Dutta.1997. Estimating and Costing in Civil Engineering: Theory
and Practice. UBS Publishers’ Distributors Ltd., New Delhi.
 Notes AC pipes
Asbestos-Cement pipe used in water distribution
systems

Appliance
A container or apparatus in which water is heated,
treated or measured, or in which it is utilised before
passing to waste

Auger
A tool having a rotating helical screw blade used for
drilling a hole

Available head
The head of water available at the point of consideration
due to main’s pressure or overhead tank or any other
source of pressure

B
Backflow
It is an unwanted flow of water in the reverse direction.
It leads to wastage of water and it is due to leakage or
defect in the system.

Backflow prevention device

This device is fitted in such a way that allows water to
flow in one direction but never in the opposite direction.
Its sole job is to prevent drinking water from being
contaminated due to backflow.

Back siphonage
The flowing back of used contaminated or polluted
water from a plumbing fixture or vessel into a water
supply pipe due to a reduced pressure in such a pipe.

Bathroom vanity
It can be defined as the combination of the bathroom
sink or basin and the storage that surrounds it.

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 Bidet Notes
It is a special plumbing fixture that allows a person
to use water to wash their genitals, anus, and inner
buttocks after using the bathroom. These fixtures are
very popular with both men and women in developed
countries.

Branch
Any part of the piping system other than a main pipe is
known as branch
Branch soil pipe (BSP)
A pipe connecting one or more soil appliances to the
main soil pipe
Branch soil waste pipe (BSWP)
A pipe connecting one or more soil and/or waste
appliances to the main soil waste pipe (one-pipe system)
Branch ventilating pipe (BVP)
A pipe, one end of which is connected to the system
adjacent to the trap of an appliance and the other to a
main ventilating pipe or a drain-ventilating pipe. It is
fitted to prevent loss of water seal from a trap, owing
to partial vacuum back pressure, or surging caused by
air movement within the pipe system. It also provides
ventilation for the branch waste pipe.
Branch waste pipe (BWP)
A pipe connecting one or more waste appliances to the
main waste pipe
Building drain
The building (house) drain is the part of the lowest
horizontal piping of a drainage system which receives
the discharge from soil, waste, and other drainage pipes
inside the walls of the building. It carries the discharge
to the building (house) sewer beginning one metre
outside the building wall.

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 Notes Building sewer
The building (house) sewer is the part of the horizontal
piping of a drainage system which extends from the end
of the building drain and which receives the discharge
of the building drain and carries it to a public sewer,
private sewer, individual sewage-disposal system, or
other point of disposal.
Burr
It is a raised edge or a small piece of material remaining
attached to a workpiece after a modification process. It
is usually an unwanted piece of material and is removed
with a de-burring tool in a process called deburring.

C
Cistern
A tank for storing water, especially one supplying taps
or as part of a flushing toilet

Cleaning eye
When removable plug is fitted with removable cover
into the pipe fitting as eye opening and clearing of
obstructions is done through this opening, it is called
access eye or cleaning eye.

Couplers
When we connect two pieces of uniform or varying
diameter pipe, a piece of pipe know as coupler is used
for joining these pipes. One end of a coupler may be of a
higher or lower diameter size as per requirement.

Crown of trap
The top-most point of the inside of a trap outlet.

D
Diameter
Unless specifically stated, the nominal diameter of pipe
fittings

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 Direct tap Notes
A tap or faucet, which is connected to a supply pipe and
subject to pressure from the water main

Domestic purposes
All purposes incidental to the occupation of a dwelling
Downtake tap or faucet
A tap or faucet connected to a system of piping, not
subject to water pressure from the water main

Drain water outlet

Any pipe which conveys discharges from sanitary
appliances in a drainage system.

Drain ventilating pipe (DVP)

It is a pipe installed to provide flow of air to or from a
drain to prevent undue concentration of foul air in the
drain. The main soil pipe or main waste pipe may serve
as drain ventilating pipe wherever its upper portions,
which do not receive discharges, are extended to the
roof level and let open to the air.

Dwelling
It is a building — used, constructed or adapted for use,
wholly or principally for human habitation. It may
include garages, other outhouses, etc.

E
Escutcheon
A flat piece of metal for protection and often
ornamentation, around a keyhole, door handle, or
light switch

F
Fitting
It refers to the fixtures in the plumbing system to join
straight pipes or any section of tubes. Examples include
elbow, tee, socket, reducer, etc.

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 Notes Fixture unit
A quantity, in terms of which the load producing
effects on the plumbing system of different kind of
plumbing fixtures are expressed on some randomly
chosen scale

Flange
It is a plate or ring to form a rim at the end of a pipe
when fastened to the pipe. A flange joint is a connection
of pipes, where the connecting pieces have flanges by
which the parts are bolted together. 

Float operated valve

Ball valves or ball taps and equilibrium by valves
operated by means of a float

Floor area of a building

The area of a horizontal section taken at the plinth or
floor level of any storey of a building, inclusive of all
projecting and overhanging parts of the external walls,
and of such portions of the partition walls as belonging
to the building

Flushing cistern
It is a cistern with a device for rapidly discharging
the contained water. It is used in connection with
a sanitary appliance for the purpose of cleansing
the appliance and carrying away its contaminated
contents into a drain.
Fracture
Due to heavy pressure or clogging, there is broken or
cracked portion in plumbing pipes, fixture or fittings,
due to which leakage takes place.

G
Gasket
Mechanical seals, generally ring-shaped and fitted for
sealing flange joints

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 General washing place Notes
A washing place provided with necessary sanitary
arrangement and common to more than one tenement,
that is a multi-occupancy building of any sort

H
Horizontal pipe
Any pipe or fitting which makes an angle of more than
45° with the vertical

I
Induced siphonage
The extraction of water from a trap by a siphonage set
up by the reduction of pressure at the outlet of the trap

Insanitary
Contrary to sanitary principles or injurious to health

M
Main soil pipe (MSP)
A pipe connecting one or more branch waste pipes to
the drain

Main soil waste pipe (MSWP)

A pipe connecting one more branch soil waste pipes to
the drain
Main ventilating pipe (MVP)
A pipe which receives a number of branch ventilating
pipes
Main waste pipe (MWP)
A pipe connecting one or more branch waste pipes to
the drain

N
Nipple
It is a piece of pipe having thread at both sides, and
could be used for short extension of plumbing lines.

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 Notes It can also be used for connecting two fittings within a
short distance.
0
O-ring
An O-shaped ring that is attached to the faucet to
prevent water from oozing out of the spout
P
Period of supply
The period of the day or night during which water supply
is made available to the consumer
Pipe ears
Two wings cast integrally with the pipe socket provided
with holes to take fixing nails or screws
Pipe systems
It is an assembly of various components put together with
a method of joints, to transport water from the source
to destination. The system to be adopted will depend on
the type and planning of the building in which it is to be
installed and will be one of the following.
1. One-pipe system — The plumbing system in which
the waste connection from washbasins, baths, and the
soil pipe branches are all collected into one main pipe
which is connected directly to the drainage system.
Gully traps and waste pipes are completely dispensed
with but all the traps of water closets, basin, etc., are
completely ventilated to preserve water seal.
2. Two-pipe system — It is a discharge pipe system
comprising two independent discharge pipes, one
of which conveys soil directly to the drain, the other
conveying waste water to the drain through a trapped
gully. The system may also require ventilating pipes.
3. Single stack system — One-pipe system without trap
ventilation pipework

Pipework
Any installation of piping with its fitting

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 Plinth Notes
The portion of a structure between the surface of the
surrounding ground and surface of the floor, immediately
above the ground

Plumbing
It is the pipes, fixtures and other apparatus inside a
building for bringing in the water supply and removing
the liquid and water-borne wastes;
It is the installation of the foregoing pipes, fixtures
and other apparatus.

Plumbing system
It shall include the water supply and distribution pipes;
plumbing fittings and traps; soil, waste, vent pipes and
anti-siphonage pipes; building drains and building
sewers including their respective connections, devices
and appurtenances within the property lines of the
premises and water-treating or water-using equipment.
Plunger
A tool for cleaning normal blockage in drain and pipe,
washbasin, etc.
Potable water
Water which is satisfactory for drinking, cooking and
domestic purposes and meets the requirements of the
Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)

Premises
It shall include passages, buildings and lands of any
tenure, whether open or enclosed, whether built on or
not, and whether public or private in respect of which,
a water rate or charge is payable to a designated
authority or for which an application is made for
supply of water
Public building
A building used or intended to be used either ordinarily
or occasionally as a church, temple, mosque or any

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 Notes place of public worship, dharamshala, college, school,
theatre, cinema, public concert room, public hall, public
bath, hospital, hotel, restaurant, lecture room or any
other place of public assembly
S
Sealing rings
It is a type of gasket used in connecting any fixture or
joints to create leak proof condition.
Self-siphonage
The extraction of water from a trap by siphonage, setup
by the momentum of the discharge from the sanitary
appliance to which the trap is attached
Service pipe
The pipe that runs between the distribution main in the
street and the riser in case of a multi-storeyed building,
or the water in case of an individual house, and is
subjected to water pressure from such a main
Soil pipe (SP)
The pipe used to carry waste from the toilet and
waste water
Spindle
It is a metal unit that provides the link between the
handle and the stem washer.
Stack
The main vertical discharge or ventilating pipe
Stopcock
A cock fitting in a pipeline for controlling the flow
of water

Stop tap or faucet

It includes stop cock, stop valve or any other devices
for stopping the flow of water in a line or system of pipe
at will.

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 Storage cistern Notes
A cistern for storing water

Stuffing box
It is an assembly which is used to house a gland seal.
It is used to prevent leakage of fluid, such as water or
steam, between sliding or turning parts of machine
elements.
Sullage
The waste water generated from bath and kitchen (but
not the waste water from toilets known as excreta)
Supply pipe
The pipes which lead from the distribution main of water
supply to the plumbing system of the house
Supports
Devices for supporting and securing the pipe and
fittings to the walls, ceilings, floors or any extra
constructed unit

T
Trap
A fitting or device in a P-, U-, S- or J-shaped type.
Traps are fitted near a plumbing fixture. The trap
bend is fitted to prevent sewer gases from entering the
building. It is so designed and constructed as to provide,
when properly vented, a liquid seal which will prevent
the back passage of air without materially affecting
the flow of sewage or water through. If the gases are
inserted back into home, then it could lead to people
inhaling foul smell, which could cause illnesses. It could
even explode.

V
Vertical pipe
Any pipe which is installed in a vertical position or which
makes an angle of not more than 45° with the vertical

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 Notes W
Warning pipe
An overflow pipe so fixed that its outlet, whether inside
or outside a building, is in a visible position where the
discharge of any water from it can be readily seen
Washout valve
A device located at the bottom of the tank for the purpose
of draining a tank for cleaning, maintenance, etc.
Water line
A line marked inside a cistern to indicate the highest
water level at which the supply valve should be adjusted
to shut off
Water main (street main)
It is a pipe laid by the water undertakers for the
purpose of giving a general supply of water as distinct
from a supply to individual consumers. It includes any
apparatus used in connection with such a pipe.
Water outlet
As used in connection with the water distributing system,
it is the discharge opening for the water (1) to a fitting;
(2) to atmospheric pressure (except into an open tank which
is part of the water supply); and (3) to any water-operated
device or equipment requiring water to operate.
Water seal
The water in a trap which acts as a barrier to the passage
of air through the trap
Water supply system
It consists of the water service pipe, the water-
distribution pipes, and the necessary connecting pipes,
fittings, control valves, and all fixtures in or adjacent to
the building or premises.
Water undertaker
The water service provider who owns the supply system
and infrastructure and provides water to a defined
geographic area
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 Waterworks Notes
It refers to an establishment for managing a water
supply. Waterworks for public water supply include a
lake, river, spring, well, pump with or without motor
and accessories, reservoir, cistern, tank, duct whether
covered or open, sluice, water main, pipe.

Activity 1

Identify whether your home has a one- or two-pipe discharge system.

Material required
1. Notebook
2. Pen
3. Paper
Procedure
1. Identify the discharge pipe fitted in your home.
2. Check whether one or two pipes are being used as
discharge pipe.
3. Prepare a note on this observation.
4. Discuss with your teacher.

Activity 2

Visit a school building and identify the various plumbing fittings

being used.
Material required
1. Notebook
2. Pen
3. Paper
Procedure
1. Make a list of various plumbing items and fittings fitted
in your school.
2. Identify the various fittings used.
3. Prepare a note on this.

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 Notes Check Your Progress
A. Define the following terms
1. Crown of trap
2. Diameter
3. Drain water outlet
4. Water supply system
5. Flushing cistern

B. Multiple choice questions

1. A building used or intended to be used either ordinarily
or occasionally as a church, temple or mosque square is
(a) premises
(b) public building
(c) residential building
(d) commercial building
2. The main pipe used for vertical discharge, or the
ventilating pipe is
(a) stack
(b) service pipe
(c) one pipe system
(d) None of these
3. A device for rapidly discharging the contained water and
used in connection with a sanitary appliance is
(a) float
(b) flushing cistern
(c) siphon
(d) trap
4. The distance between the lowest point of a water inlet or
feed pipe to an appliance and the spill-over level is
(a) air gap
(b) head
(c) back flow
(d) None of these

C. Fill in the full forms of the given abbreviations

1. MSP _____________________________________
2. MVP _____________________________________
3. MWP _____________________________________
4. MSWP ____________________________________

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